Grizzly Attacks Reported

Two people were attacked and injured by a bear while hiking in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park on Saturday.

Matt and Tracy Pelland of East Glacier, Mont., surprised the bear on a trail about a mile from Cracker Lake around 2 p.m. Both managed to hike out after the attack.

Tracy Pelland, 23, suffered wounds on her back, left shoulder and side plus bite wounds on her head, Chief Ranger Steve Frye said. Matt Pelland had puncture wounds on his calf.

“Everything we know at this point, it was a surprise encounter,” said Frye. “The bear left the area as soon as it felt that whatever threat it perceived was no longer a factor.”

Frye said the bear already was charging when the couple spotted it about 50 feet away. It knocked Tracy Pelland to the ground. Matt Pelland moved below the trail and tried to distract the bear.

It worked, but the bear then charged him, biting one of his legs. Pelland emptied a can of pepper spray into the bear’s face, and the bear backed off. But then it went back to Tracy Pelland, who was trying to escape. The bear knocked her down, rolled her over a couple of times and lay on her a short time before departing.

Matt Pelland, confused about Tracy’s location or condition, started for help, hiking nearly 5 miles to Many Glacier. Tracy Pelland appeared within the half hour.

After using aircraft to survey the area, park authorities said they believe the attack was by a grizzly sow spotted on Monday with two cubs.

The bear will not be destroyed, Frye said. The Cracker Lake Trail is closed for the season.

He said both Pellands are experienced hikers and said they were making noise when the bear charged.

Frye said bears are feeding aggressively to put on weight before hibernation, and they may be near people and trails they ordinarily would avoid.

Saturday’s attack was only the second in Glacier this year. In May, a 26-year-old park employee on a solo day hike was killed and eaten. A sow grizzly and two sub-adult offspring were tracked down and destroyed.

A 65-year-old Canadian man was killed by a grizzly bear while hiking 43 miles east of Prince George, British Columbia, during the weekend.

George Evanoff, an avid hiker and search and rescue volunteer, was hiking alone near his backwoods cabin. He apparently stumbled upon the bear after it had killed a moose.

Razor clams pose threat

Record high levels of a shellfish toxin hazardous to humans have been found in razor clams on Washington and Oregon Pacific Coast beaches.

The natural toxin, created by algae, is call domoic acid and it causes amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Severe cases include headache, dizziness, disorientation, loss of short-term memory, seizures, coma and even death.

Because of the high toxin levels, there will be no fall sport razor clam season in Washington. In fact, it may take a year for razor clams to purify themselves of the toxin.

Other facts and tips consumers should be aware of:

Cooking or freezing the clams does not kill the toxin;

Know the source of the razor clams before purchasing them in stores, taverns or restaurants;

Consume no fresh razor clams;

If frozen, ensure razor clams from Washington or Oregon were dug prior to July 1998.

Hunting workshop for youths

A pheasant hunting workshop for kids ages 12-17 is set for Saturday in Lewiston. Applications must by received by Thursday. Info: Idaho Fish and Game, (208) 799-5010.